Where to stay in July?

[Mickey_Man]

Just confirmed flights for July - going from the 3rd to the 13th!!!

We swapped our Harborside Atlantis Timeshare for WL Villas, so we are good from the 3rd-10th! The question is - where to stay for the last three nights.

 

[carol1231]

It was a toss up between the Swan and the CR. I voted for the CR. After staying at the VWL, I wouldn't go to a moderate or offsite. And the reason I chose the CR over Swan is because the rooms and view at CR are awesome and the Swan is a nice hotel room.

 

[GabbyMom]

i voted offsite. With the last three days stay at one of th universal hotels and get the front of the line access there. or do sea world, as kids we always went to the beach. just suggestions

 

[miss missy]

Swan! Its sooo beautiful!

 

[Disney Khi]

I voted for the Swan, thinking that if you have just stayed over near the MK, you might like to stay near Epcot and DHS for a few days. However, if you are thinking that you might have gotten in most of the park time you want by then, I would stay at POFQ. I stayed at POR last year and it was such a nice, relaxing place to stay. I assume that POFQ would be the same.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I voted for off-site. When I go to Orlando, it's always an all Disney trip, but last year I took an unexpected trip, stayed off site and really enjoyed checking out Orlando. We ate at some different places, went to Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, did some outlet shopping and my favorite thing, went to Celebration. I've always wanted to check out Celebration. Next trip is back to "All Disney" but I would do off-site Orlando again for sure.

On a side note, POFQ is my favorite moderate. I absolutely loved staying there.

 

[Mickey_Man]

Thanks for all of the great recommendations so far. It is really a tough choice right now - all the options have such merit! We are normally Dolphin goers, but never stayed at the Swan. We do LOVE that location. POFQ would offer us the chance to see YeHa Bob and save vs. a deluxe. Contemporary is one of my "dream stays", and I know we will do that one some day, but not sure if this is the trip for it. I haven't stayed offsite since a convention back in HS (wow -15 years ago already!) but the idea is tempting! Keep those votes coming!!

 

[ADP]

Stay at the Swan -
Great location
EMH benefit
Disney boat launch to DHS and EPCOT
Only 24 hour eatery in WDW (Dolphin)
Eat offsite with your rental car (Saves you big $$$)

 

[DWFan4Life]

If we are going on July, we want to stay at Port Orleans, we loved to go back there but we are not yet decided if when we are going, DH wants to go on December to see Christmas decorations, but I want as early than that.

Have a nice day everyone.

 

[NC Belle]

I have not voted yet, but I'm thinking that want to be on-site and in the EPCOT area because of the week at WL Villas. This rules out CR and off-site. We enjoy the CR on our 2008 summer trip, but wished that we stayed for more than 1 night. Off-site is nice too. Last year, we stayed on a whim at the Sheraton Vistana using NC Beast's timeshare trade. The resort is undergoing a re-hab, but it has a lot of options like pools, bikes, and some dining/shopping. We toured its sister resort Vistana Villages and it has nice furnshings and pool areas. It is near Universal and outlets.

I'm thinking that the POFQ/POR may need to be rule out because going from a villa to a smaller room/lower grade may have a let-down feeling and waiting at bus stop for all park buses in July. I have seen pictures and it seems to be a nice choice for another trip.

I noticed that you like the Dolphin and BCV so I guess that the Swan is the best out of the limited list. I like its location, but have not been in it yet.

I wished that you had an option for other. I loved AKL even though it is seems more remote, but its seems like a getaway from the big July crowds. If you noticed that we only went in July once...and that was our honeymoon in 1996. We loved BWV for its location. We have only done CSR for a moderate (3 times--twice last year) and enjoyed it. CSR now has queen beds and the bedding reminds me of CR's linen.

Okay, I guess I voting for the Swan.

 

[DisneyFam5]

We are staying at the Dolphin from the 3rd through the 7th with a government discount for $129 per night plus their $10 fee per night. You can't beat the location. We even said that we heard about the upgrade deal on the podcast and got an upgrade for a better room!

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

I have never stayed onsite. I just find a villa hard to beat. It's the toes in the pool at the end of the night while my little one sleeps indoors. Nice memories. Although my opinion is clearly subjective as I have only experienced offsite!! So feel free to disregard!

 

[Mickey_Man]

I wished that you had an option for other. I loved AKL even though it is seems more remote, but its seems like a getaway from the big July crowds. If you noticed that we only went in July once...and that was our honeymoon in 1996. We loved BWV for its location. We have only done CSR for a moderate (3 times--twice last year) and enjoyed it. CSR now has queen beds and the bedding reminds me of CR's linen.

Okay, I guess I voting for the Swan.

Thanks for the thorough breakdown. I should have left an "other" category - didn't think of that at the time. With the announcement of the buy 4, get 3 free extension, we may need to book a second week instead of just three more nights!!

 

[Goofy22]

I vote for the SWAN it's such a nice area and hotel! We stayed at BCV and loved it!

 

[Mickey_Man]

OMG - so now they offer the extended pay for four, stay for seven!! That DEFINITELY changes things. Then again - it depends on what where we slot the Swan. Is it comparable to a deluxe? If so, paying for 7 days at the swan might actually cost less than paying for 4 at - for example, the Boardwalk or the Yacht Club - and then getting three free. Oh the decisions!!!!!

 

[Bell30012]

HOME should be one of the choices... July and Florida? Not in this lifetime. In addition to the heat, heat and more heat you have to deal with all those summertime park goers... Crowd level will be what, an 11??? (On a 1-10 scale.)

 

[DVCJones]

I voted Swan for the location. I almost voted Contemporary, however I don't think it is a good idea to stay there while major construction is underway. What ever you choose, I am sure you will have a great time.

 

[Mickey_Man]

HOME should be one of the choices... July and Florida? Not in this lifetime. In addition to the heat, heat and more heat you have to deal with all those summertime park goers... Crowd level will be what, an 11??? (On a 1-10 scale.)

That is good humor, but we never get bothered by the heat. We are early park goers, swimmers and nappers during the day, and then back out after dinner. We almost never have crowds - I would say our longest wait last summer was maybe 30 minutes on Soarin'. Home is never more fun that WDW!!!! C'mon now! The summertime park goers are way overexaggerated. We were in EPCOT on the 4th of July last year and walked on to Spaceship Earth and the Maelstrom and had little to no lines grabbing snacks and drinks when we wanted them. Does it get hot? Of course it does, but as long as you don't try to go commando and you actually listen to your body (like constantly drink water so you don't dehydrate), it is fine.

Then again - disregard all of that and instead you should go during the week between Christmas and New Years. It is much cooler then - you'll love it!

 

[carol1231]

At first I voted for CR, but we just added a couple of days to one of our upcoming trips, we chose to do something totally different for us. We are spending our extra days at Portofino Bay. It will be like an extra vacation. We've never ventured offsite.

I'm eager to hear where you decide to stay!

 

[Mickey_Man]

I'm eager to hear where you decide to stay!

Just booked The Swan!!! Three nights, teacher rate, king bed, potential upgrades with our SPG Gold Status - couldn't turn it down! I can't wait to go!!!!!

Still trying to figure out where their quick service (i.e. fill up the mug!) restaurant is, but those types of logistics always work themselves out! Now - what the heck is there to do in central Florida for 11 days??